Alex Ovechkin is doing an important thing that won't stop him from doing another important thing.

Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals superstar and defending NHL MVP, this weekend will start the Olympic torch relay from Greece to Russia. It's a huge honor for the 28-year-old. It also will not conflict with the Caps' season opener on Oct. 1—there had been concerns, albeit hypothetical ones, that he'd have trouble doing both.

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will face off again in Sochi. (AP Photo)

He will not, as airplanes indeed exist. Barring a problem with one of those airplanes, he'll be back in Washington on Sunday, at practice on Monday and in the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget," Ovechkin said in a statement released by the Capitals. "I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season."

Owner Ted Leonsis also offered his support, as he's done throughout the run-up to the Sochi Olympics, even when the NHL's participation wasn't guaranteed; it's an understandably huge deal for Russian players, and even more so for Ovechkin.